They say the early bird catches the worm. While this adage still rings true, becoming a morning person is really easier said than done. In theory, expanding your day and having more time to check things off your to-do list sounds great. Nothing beats the thrill of enjoying a warm cup of coffee or tea to watch the sun rise.
However, your resting mind simply works differently. When peace and quiet is so hard to come by, most of us just don’t want to rise early and often choose that extra period of sleep. If you’re looking to break this difficult cycle and become that morning person you envy, read further for the simple steps to success.
Creating Your Sleep Schedule
The goal is to shoot for the highly recommended 8 hours per night sleep schedule as often as you can. Setting a target bedtime during weeknights allows you to dedicate a full hour or more each morning to a leisurely-paced routine.
Starting Slowly
Most morning people will tell you that their day begins with a real gradual process. The best plan is to develop a morning routine that will energize you. By loading your morning with stressful tasks, you are setting yourself up to burn out quickly. Instead, start each day with something peaceful like light exercise, yoga, or meditation.
Sticking to a Routine
Just as with any successful plan, a routine is important for success. Weekend late nights and snoozing in are okay on occasion but can throw you off track if done in excess. Do your best to stick to a consistent sleep schedule and use your alarm clock to help coach you through.
Managing Light and Dark
Our circadian rhythm is driven by light and dark. The most efficient way to utilize this information is by maximizing darkness when trying to sleep and maximizing light when waking up. Pull up those shades in the morning, crack the window and let the sunlight in. You’ll be surprised how quickly this invigorates you.
Moving Your Alarm Clock
I bet you notice how easy it is to hit the snooze button on your alarm clock and continue sleeping. This makes your morning alarm ineffective. Placing your alarm on the other side of the room will cause you to get moving. It is then up to you to keep moving and get started on your day.
Enjoying Your Morning
Filling your routine with positive activities will motivate you. Whether it’s enjoying a fresh cup of coffee or starting that new book you have been eager to read, this will help you look forward to waking up every day. Whatever you are doing, make your mornings fun and you will slowly begin conquering them.
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